Stamp-canceling machine



(No Model.)

I. E. MARTIN. STAMP GANUELING MACHINE.

Patented Nov. 23, 1897 H. MONOb i @i :E E E: E} J I 5 if i g; 5% L 4%;

WITNESSES Arm/21m.

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NITED STATES FRANK E. MARTIN OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

STAMP-CANCEL ING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 594,029, dated November 23, 1897.

Applicationfiled January 19, 1897. Serial No; 619,823. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FRANK E. MARTIN, a citizen of the United States,residin g at Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented or discovered a new and useful Improvement in Stamp-Canceling Machines, of which the following is a, full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this application, in which Figure 1 is a view in front elevation of my improved stamp-canceling machine. 2 is a plan view thereof. Fig. 3 is an enlarged cross-section taken on the line III III of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a plan view of a stamped envelop, showing the effect of the machine. Fig. 5 is a perspective detail view of one of the perforating-pins detached.

My invention consists of an improved machine for canceling stamps of letters, &c. and has for its object a more thorough cancellation and mutilation of the stamp than is possible by the machines heretofore used for the purpose.

My machine is intended to cut or perforate the stamp in such a manner that it is rendered positively unfit for further use without detection.

Referring to the drawings, 2 is the frame of the machine, made in a suitable manner to support the upper and lower pressure-rolls 3 at and the feed-table 5, provided with a guid- The upper roll is composed of a hard substance, preferably wood or metal, having inserted around its periphery at one end in any convenient location, so asto engage and come into'contact with the stamps, perforating-pins 6. These pins are set into the roll at short distances apart and in any suitable arrangement as to location, so as to be sufficiently near together that at least two of the pins will come within the edges of a stamp of ordinary size.

I prefer to form the ends of the pins 6 with crossed cutting edges 7, (see Fig. 5,) so as to make an X out, but any other desirable form or configuration may be employed which will show distinctly. A date-marking stamp 8 is inserted in the face of the upper roller 3 in proximity to the canceling-pins, so as to mark on the letter the time and place of mailing. This stamp may be of any desirable design and is made removable, so as to provide for changing the reading matter.

An inking-roller 9 is mounted at the end of a bracket 10, secured to the frame of the machine in proximity to the dating-stamp, so that ink will be applied thereto at each revolution.

The lower roller is made of rubber or other resilient material which is sufficiently yielding to allow the point of the pins to depress it without cutting, whereby-the pins may project sufficiently far from the upper roller to insure a cutting action on the stamp without injury to the lower roller. The rubber will also facilitate the feeding action upon the letters in the-operation of canceling.

The rollers are geared together by toothed wheels 11 12, and to an extended end of the lower-roller shaft 13 is secured a sheave-wheel 14,by which the machine isoperated from any source of power through a cord or belt 15, or, if preferred, a crank may be attached, so as to allow of the machine being operated by hand.

The advantages of my invention will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, as I aecomplish a certain and immediately-perceptible mutilation and destruction of the stamp, whereas in the use of printing devices now employed it frequently happens that the stamp is left wholly untouched, making it possible to use it again, and the prevention of such second use by thoroughly destroying the stamp is the principal object of my pres- I cut invention.

Changes and modifications may be made in the details of construction of my invention without departing therefrom, and I do not de sire to be limited to the exact form and design shown in the drawings, but to include all such variations as will suggest themselves to the skilled mechanic.

WVhat I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination of a frame, a feed-table having a guiding edge, a positively-driven under roller of resilient material with its top on a level with the feed-table top, an upper roller composed of an unyielding material mounted adjacent to such roller, interlneshing gearing connecting the rollers and a se ries of slightly-projecting canceling-pins having crossed cutting edges arranged irregularly around one end of the upper roller adapted to slightly depress the surface of the resilient roller, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination of a frame, a feed-table having a guiding edge, a positively-driven under roller of resilient material With its top ona level With the feed-table top, an upper roller composed of an unyielding material mounted adjacent to such roller, intermeshin g gearing connecting the rollers, a series of slightly-projecting canceling-pins having crossed cutting edges arranged irregularly around one end of theupper roller adapted to slightly depress the surface of the resilient roller, a dating-stamp affixed to the unyielding roller adjacent to the canceling-pins and an inking-roller mounted on a support at- 

